ONE CORONAVIRUS DEATH REPORTED IN TIOGA COUNTY
As of midnight Sunday morning The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed 1,178 new cases of the coronavirus which brings the state wide total to 22, 833 cases. Thirteen more deaths were reported yesterday, making 507 total deaths in Pennsylvania. One death has now been reported in Tioga County where there are 13 cases. Lycoming County now reports 23 cases, Northumberland 37, Union 19 and Clinton 8.
PA HOUSE TO VOTE ON ALLOWING MORE BUSINESS TO OPEN
The Pennsylvania State House will vote Tuesday to consider legislation that would allow more businesses to open during the coronavirus pandemic. Lawmakers said the proposal will direct Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf to come up with a system based on guidance for business from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The new rules would have to follow guidelines set up by the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. In addition the bill could allow notaries to employ technology rather than perform their duties in person during the COVID-19 outbreak. It also would permit municipal governments to meet electronically.
STATE DEPARTMENT PORTAL FOR MANUFACTURERS TO SELL MEDICAL SUPPLIES
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Critical Medical Supplies Procurement Portal is now available through the Department of Health website at spportal.dot.pa.gov. Manufacturers, distributors and other suppliers can use the portal to inform the state of supplies available for purchase and to quickly and efficiently procure supplies for medical facilities across Pennsylvania. A link to the specific items needed including lab and diagnostic supplies and personal protective equipment is available here.
MU TO HELP STUDENTS AFFECTED BY COVID-19
The Mansfield Foundation has set up a Student Relief Fund for students impacted by unforeseen financial needs due to COVID-19. The newly launched effort is for currently enrolled students who are unable to meet expenses whether it’s transportation costs, access to technology , access to safe housing or food insecurity. Students who need emergency assistance can go to the Mansfield University Financial Aid website at esd.mansfield.edu
MAN ARRESTED FOR ASSAULT OF TROOPER
A Williamsport man who allegedly assaulted a state trooper last week after he was found nude and under the influence in Lycoming County was charged with felony assault in Lycoming County Court. According to the Sun Gazette, state police were called when 27 year old Dillon Calvin, was reported running around naked on Lake Road in Gamble Township. Troopers detained Dillon who police say threatened the troopers and spit on them. He is now in Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $35,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is set for today in Montoursville .
QUALIFIED NON-VIOLENT PRISONERS TO BE RELEASED THIS WEEK
Qualifying Prison inmates in in the Commonwealth, may get an early release. Governor Wolf issued an executive order Friday in order to mitigate the spread of coronavirus in Pennsylvania prisons by allowing certain prisoners an early release if they are close to the end of their sentence and lack violent or drug related charges. As many as 1500-1800 prisoners could qualify for a conditional supervised release, and according to the Governor’s office releases to halfway houses or home confinement, is expected to begin as soon as Tuesday.
LOCAL STORE TO LIMIT CUSTOMERS
GIANT Food stores in Carlisle announced in a press release Saturday that the chain will officially limit the number of customers who may be in the store at one time starting today. The number of customers allowed in each store varies by location. They also request that only one customer per household come to the store to promote a safer in-store environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials from Giant say a team member will be at the entrance to monitor shopper flow and when the store is at capacity, a line will form with a one entrance – one exit protocol, one-way aisles and register queuing in all stores.
FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS SHOULD START THIS WEEK
The State Labor Department started issuing expanded federal unemployment compensation payments Friday, providing an extra $600 per week for self-employed, independent contractors and gig workers eligible for benefits. Those eligible who filed bi-weekly claims for the week ending April 4th, should see the payments this week. The measure signed by Governor Tom Wolf waives the job search and work registration requirements and also waives the waiting period for filing an unemployment claim.
Sports
NFL
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has agreed to join NBC Sports as a football analyst when he is done playing, the New York Post reported Friday. Brees plans to play the 2020 season after signing a two-year, $50 million contract extension with the Saints last month.
NBA
Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine shut out Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce in the NBA’s first HORSE Challenge on ESPN. Also playing were Detroit Pistons All-Star Chauncey Billups, Mike Conley of the Utah Jazz and Allie Quigley of the WNBA’s Chicago Sky. The semifinals and championship game will be televised at 9 p.m. ET Thursday on ESPN. State Farm, the title sponsor, will donate more than $200,000 in support of coronavirus response efforts.
Anthony Causi, a highly skilled and popular sports photographer for The New York Post who covered the city’s teams for 25 years, died Sunday from the coronavirus. He was 48.
Horse tracks are still operating in Florida, California, Arkansas and Oklahoma but no fans are allowed to attend the races. The races are being streamed online. All jockeys have completed a 14 day quarantine and are screened by medical personnel on the way to and from the track.
